X-Racer

The Mark-1 X-Racer, pictured, is
based on a flight-tested plane called the EZ Rocket

A rocket plane specially designed and
built to participate in races held by the Rocket
Racing League. Initially, each X-Racer will be based on an existing
airframe – that of the EZ Rocket
built by XCOR Aerospace. This will
be modified to carry a 1,500-pound thrust rocket engine burning liquid oxygen
(LOX) and kerosene. Currently being tested in an early prototype form, this
class of vehicle has flown more than 20 test flights.

Each X-Racer will be a single-pilot vehicle with an empty weight of roughly
1,000 lbs and a propellant weight of 1,000 lbs, yielding a gross takeoff
weight of 2,000 pounds. The first-generation of Mark-1 X-Racers will reach
maximum speeds of more than 320 mph.

X-Racers will have the ability to be rapidly refueled, with initial refueling
times on the order of 5 to 10 minutes per pit stop. It is expected that
each team will continue to develop better technology and faster methods
of refueling the vehicle as the Rocket Racing League develops. The equipment
required in each pit will mostly consist of ground handling equipment for
the propellants and standard maintenance equipment for the vehicles.

Each vehicle will be capable of approximately 4 minutes of intermittent
engine boost and 10 minutes of un-powered (glide) flight, allowing for 3–4
laps around the course between pit stops. Vehicles will launch in a staggered
fashion to ensure that vehicles are always airborne.